Apparatus for electrically dispersing fluids.



A Patented Feb. 4, I902. J. F. COOLEY. APPARATUS FOB ELECTBIGALLY DISPERSING FLUIDS.

- (Application filed Oct. 6, 1899. Ren'ewed June a, 1900. I

' 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

(mi Model.)

No. 692,63I. Patented Feb. 4, I902. v

. .1; F. .COOLEY. I APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY DISPERSING FLUIDS.

(Application filed Oct 6, 1899. RenewediJune 8, 1900.)

2 Sheets-$haet 2.

(No Model.)

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. U ITED STATE JOHN F. COOLEY, 0113 OSTO MASSACHUSETTS, assienon TO CHARLES PATENT OFFICE.

FARQUHAR AND AMBROSE EASTMAN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.-

APPARATUS. FOR .ELECTRICALLY DISPERSING FLUIDS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 692,631, dated February 4,1902. Application filed October 6, 1899. Renewed Junes. 1900. Serial No. 19.625; (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. COOLEY, a citizen of. the United States, residing at the city of Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Electrically Dispel-sing Fluids; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact deshown in Fig. 1.

scription of the invention, such as will enable to make and use the same.

others skilled in the art to which it appertains.

Thismy invention relates to an apparatusfor electrically dispersing fluids.

In a companion application of even date herewith, Serial No, 732,798, I have described and claimed certain new and useful improvements in method of electrically dispersing fluids by subjecting the fluids in a free and attenuated formation to the disruptive and dispersive action of a gaseous field of convective action of electricity at high tension.

The present invention relates to apparatus for carrying out said methods.

In 'the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents, partly in section and partly in elevation, one form of apparatus embodying my invention. 'Fig. 2 represents on a larger scale and in section the delivering device View of a modified form of the delivering destance, which .tube terminates at its lowerend in a small nozzle, which serves as a means for delivering the fluid in a free and attenuated streaming formation into the path of convective action. The tube terminates at its'upper end in an enlargement or bulb a,

which, togetherwitll the inlet-tube 6, serves J to supply the fluidto the tube A. In order to regulate the quantity of fluid supplied to the de1ivery-tube A, the' bulb a. may convenie'ntly be provided with a conical valve or plug 0, having a screw threaded stem pass- Fig. 3 represents alike Fig. 4 represents a likeivie'w of afur- I ing through a stopper (1, so that by raising or lowering the plugs the area of the opening governed by said plug may be correspondingly varied. The inlet-tube b admits the fluid to be treated under sufiicient pressure to insure its delivery from the open end of the tube A in such manner as to cause it to issue in a free and attenuated streaming form into the convective field either at ashortdistance from one of the electrodes, as indicated in Fig. 1, or in anyintermediate position between both electrodes or in immediate or sub stantiallyimmediate contact with said electrode, as indicated in Fig. 5. For the pur-' pose of supplying a supplementary fluid to the verge of the outlet of the tube -A, I may surround thetube A with an inclo sing tube B and make theoutlet end of the tube A (and 'lated. Into the space between the two tubes I introduce the supplementary fluid, prefer ably a solvent of the fluid delivered through the tube Aas, for instance, when, employing a solution of pyroxylin in the tube A, I may employ ether as a solvent. Itjwill be understood, however, that in all cases it is not necessary that the supplementary fluid should be actually a solvent of the primary fluid. Thus in some cases it may be neutral to the primary fluidas, for instance, instead of ether in the example just given it may be benzole; but in all cases the supplementary fluid, preferably, should be a more or less good dielectric, as the presence of a conducting fluid while keeping the verge of delivery free may be detrimental to the disruptive and dispersive action of the convective field. The supplemcntaryfluid or solvent may be conveniently supplied to its deliverytube'B through the branchf from any convenient reservoir.

D represents one form of electric-current generator, such as a Wimshurst machine, for the production of high tensionor static electricity, g being the positive pole thereof and g the negative pole, or conversely. A crank E is provided by which the machine may be 'tablished.

operated, as usual, although a pulley with a belt or cord may be used. The pole g is connected by a wire it with the adjustable electrode e, and the other pole g is connected by a wire h with the adjustable electrode 6, as-

shown, so that by adjusting the distance between the free ends of the electrodes e e a variation of strength of the convective field between them may be correspondingly es- To render this regulation of the strength of the convective field still more effective, I provide as one way of accomplishing this end the supplementary electrodes 1' i, adjustable toward and from each other, whereby the convective field between the electrode's e e may be short-circuited to a greater or less extent, according to the regulation of the length, and consequently the resistance of the convective field formed across 2' 1', caused by adjustment of the distance between them. The electrodes e eare suitably insulated, so that the field of con' vective action shall be limited to the space between them. The conductors h 72, should also be heavily insulated and kept at some distance from the'field. Adjacent to but in this instance outside of the field of convective action is arranged one form of collecting mechanism for progressively withdrawing fibers produced by the convective action. This collecting mechanism may convenicnly consist of a reel I provided with means for imparting to it a'continuous rotation-as, for instance, the bevel-gearing Z, operated from a counter-shaft Z and driving-pulley m. It is best also that the whole device he inclosed in a case G of any suitable size, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 1, so that currents of air may be avoided and so that by the use of suitable drying substances or mechanisms the electrical and atmospheric conditions within the case may be kept pract-ically uniform, but more especially when the redemption of the dispersed volatile liquid products is desirableas, for instance,

when collodion is usedfor the production of fibers the beforementioned dispersed sol vents may be drawn oif from the interior of the case accompanied by a portion of the gaseous atmospheric contents of-the case G for instance, by the pump K-and the disor sheet, Fig. 4-from the discharge-verge of persed solvent may be recondensed in any suitable manner, and whatever other vapors may be produced in working my proce smay be drawn ofi in like manner and fresh iitmospheric or gaseous media substituted.

When the liquids-as, for instance, collo-' dion--is delivered in an attenuated form' as, for instance, in a successionof small drops or spraygaif in'the spray-delivery, Fig. 3, or in'a thin stream, Fig. 2, or multiple streams the delivery device and the electrical machine is operated, the fluid falls freely into the convective field between the terminalse e and the electrical action causes filaments to start out, which quickly set or harden because of nent and form fibers which separate, being mutually repelled, and are attracted by the point e; but before the fibers can touch the point e they are caught and are carried to the reel F, upon which the fibers are wound in a machinelike the one herein illustrated. The fibers may be caught by the operator ordinarily by means of a glass rod and are carried to the reel, so that the reeling may begin. It the reeling is continuous, it occa sionally happens that from some cause the fibers may break away from their connection with the reel, and in that case they may again be caught and carried to the reel in order that the collecting may continue.

It will be understood that instead of a static machine, such as a Wimshurst or Holtz machine, I may employ for the production of the convective field any other suitable equivalent source of high-tension or static electricity ap propriate to the purpose.

In the delivering device shown in Fig. 3 the construction is identical with that shown in Fig.- 2, but with the additional feature of a spraying-tn be it for directing a jet of steam, compressed air, or the like across the outletopening of the tube A, producing one form of attenuated delivery into the field suitable for the practice of this process.

In the delivery device shown in Fig. 4 the fluid supplied to the bulb a flows through the exit-opening 0 upon an abutmentp, provided with peripheral aperturesp. Said abutment is containedwithin a hollow tube A, which receives a motion of rotation from a pulleys and band 8' and is ineased by an outer tube B for the reception of the solvent. The tube A is provided with an enlarged bell-shaped mouth, as shown. As'the tube A is rotated the fluid supplied from the bulb a. drops upon the abutmentp, from which it passes through the apertures 1) to the inner periphery of the tube A and thence downward to the bellshaped end thereof, where it is thrownoit by centrifugal force into the convective field of discharge. At the same time the solvent or other fluid may be conducted through the casing 13 and aperture't to the outer periphery of the bell-mou thed exit,whereby the edges thereof are always maintained in operative condition. It will be noted that in this latter form the material isdelivered into the field oficouvective action in the form of a thin sheetgrhi'ch breaks up into streams or drops, whosedimensions may he graduated by varying the amount of fluid supplied to the tube a A. The quantity of supplementary fluid sup-' plied mayalso be varied by adjusting the tube 13 so as to vary the distance of the lower edge of said tube B" from the upper surface of the bell-mouthed end of the tube A, as will be readily understood.-

By the word attenuator as employed herein and in the claims I-referto dimensions or configuration and not to the condition of fluidity of the fluid as it is delivered into the from the convective convective field. The phenomena resulting assage of a current of electricity at high te sionthrough a gaseous medium, commonlycalled silent discharge,

brush-discharge, and spray-discharge, are herein referred to as convective field,

field of convective action, convective dischargefiand convective action.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is p 1. In an apparatus for separating from composite fluids the volatile liquid component and breaking up the fixed component thereof, the combination of a source of high-tension electricity, means for feeding the composite fluid into the field of electrical discharge from said source of high-tension electricity, and a feeder for a solvent proximate to the feeding-point of said fluid, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a source of hightension electricity, of means for projecting a fluid into the field of electrical discharge from said source of high-tension electricity, an electrical connection from one pole of said source of high-tension electricity to said dischargepoint and a feeder for a solvent proximate to said discharge point, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a source of hightension electricity of means for projecting a fluid into the field of electrical discharge from said sourceofhigh-tension electricity, an electrical connection from one pole of said source of high-tension electricity to said discharge point, an electrical connection from the other pole thereof to an attracting point orsurface,

and a feeder for a solvent proximate to said discharge-point,substantially as described.

4. The combination of a vessel having a discharge-orifice, a source of high-tension elect'ricity, an electrical connection from one pole of said source of electricity to the dischargeo-rifice and mechanism for withdrawing the product from the electrical field, substantially as described. I x I q r 5. The combination of a vessel havinga discharge-orifice, a source of high-tension'electricity, an electrical connection from one pole of said source of electricity to the dischargeorifice, an electrical connection from the other pole of saidsource of electricity to a attracting point or surface and mechanism or withdrawing the product from the field of electrical discharge before reaching said attracting-point, substantially as described. 6. The com bination of a vessel having a discharge-orifice, a source of high-tension elecorifice, mechanism for collecting the product,-

mam-man's at source of electricity to the delivery-point of for reeling the fibers, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus for electrically producing fibers from composite fluids, the combination of a source of high-tension electricity, means for delivering a stream of a viscous'composite fluid into. the field of electrical discharge thereof, an electrical connection from one .pole of said source of electricity to the electricity to an attracting point or surface, and a reeling mechanism for reeling-the fibers, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus for separating the volatile liquid component from, the component of fixed substances in composite fluids composed thereof, the combination of a source of highcircuit of said source, means for deliveringa composite fluid in a free and attenuated form into the path of convective action, and means to the delivering device, substantially as described.

tile liquid component from the componentjof fixed substances in composite fluids composed thereof, the combination of a'source of hightension electricity, means for producing a circuit of said source, means for delivering a into the path of convective action and for proportioning the volume delivered to the dispersive strength of the convective action,

-means for conducting a supply of the coinposite fluid to the delivering deviceand means for collecting the fixed or non-volatile'products of the convective action upon the composite fluid, substantially as described.

tile liquid component from the component of thereof, the mmbination of a source ofjhighcomposite fluid in a free and attenuated form into thepath of convective action and for proportioning the" volume delivered. to the means for'conducting a supply of'the conifor collecting the fixed or non-volatile prodstantially as described. 12. In an apparatus for separating the voladelivery-point of said fluid, an electricalcom nection from the other pole of said source of tension electricity, means for producing a' field of convective discharge interposed in the for conducting a supply of the composite fluid 10. In an apparatus for separating the volacomposite fluid in a free and attenuated form a 11. In an apparatus for separating the volafixedsubstancesin composite fluidscomposed 5 tensionelectricity, means for producing a .fieldof convectivedischargeinterposedinthe circuit of said source, means for delivering'a dispersive strength of the convective action,

nets of the convective action upon the composite fluid, and for removing them from proximity to the path of convective action, sub

said compositefluid and a. reeling mechanism Y field of convective discharge interposed in the no I posite'fluid to the delivering device and means 3 tile liquid component from the component of fixed'substances in composite fluids composed thereof, vthe combination of a source of high-'- gtension electricity, means for producing-a fixed substances in composite fluids composed thereof, the combination of a source of hightension electricity, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated form into the path of convective action and for regulating the volume delivered to the dispersive strength of the convective action, means for conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivering device and means for collecting the volatile products of the convective action upon the composite fluid, substantially as described.

14. In an apparatus for separating the volatile liquid component from the component of fixed substances in composite fluids composed thereof, the combination of a sourceof hightension electricity, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of saidsource, and for adjusting the length thereof, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated condition into the path of convective action, and means for conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivering device, substantially as described.

15. In an apparatus for separating the volatile liquid component from the component of fixed substances in-composite fluids composed thereof, the combination of a source ofhightension electricity, means for regulating the tension of said source, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source and for adjusting the length thereoflmeans for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated-condition into the path of convective action, and means for conducting a supplyof the composite fluid to the delivering device, substantially as described. I

16. In an apparatus for separating the volatile liquid componentfrom the component of fixed substances in composite fluids composed thereof, the combination of a source of hightension electricity, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated con:

;dition into the path of convective action,

means for supplying a supplementary solvent to the device at its verge or place of transition of the composite fluid from the ,confined to the free state, and means for conducting a high-tensionelectricity, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated condition into the path-of convective action, means for supplying a supplementary fluid to the delivering device at its verge or place of transition of the composite fluid from the confined to the free state, means for regu-,

lating the supply of the supplementary fluid, means for adjusting the position in the field of the delivery of the composite fluid and for proportioning the volume thereof to-the dispersive strength of the convective action, and means for conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivering device, substantially as described.

18. In an apparatus for separating the volatileliquid component from the component of fixed substances in a composite fluid composed thereof, the combination of a source of high-tension electricity, means forproducing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated condition into the path of convective action, means for supplying a supplementary fluid to the delivering device at its verge or place of transition of the composite fluid from the confined to the free state, means for regulating the supply of the supplementary fluid, means for adjusting the position in the field ot the delivery of the composite fluid and for proportioning the volume thereof to the dispersive strength of the convective action, means for conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivering device, and means for collecting the fixed or non-volatile products of the convective action upon the composite fluid, substantially as described.

19. In an apparatus for separating the volatile liquid component from the component of fixed substances in a composite fluid composed thereof, the combination of a source of high-tension electricity, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated condition into the path of convective action,

means for supplying a supplementary fluid to the delivering device at its verge or place of transition of the composite fluid from the confined to the free state, means for regu1ating the supply of the supplementary fluid, means for adjusting the positionin the field of the delivery of the composite fluid and for proportioning the volume thereof to the dispersive strength of the convective action, means for conducting a supply of .the composite fluid to the delivering device, and

means for collecting the volatile products of 20. In an apparatus forseparating the volatile liquid component from the component of fixed substances in a composite fluid composed thereof, the combination of a source of high-tension electricity, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source, means for deliver ing a composite fluid in a free and attenuated condition into the path of convective action, means for supplying a supplementary fluid to the delivering device at its verge or place of transition of the composite fluidfrom the confined to the free state, means for regulating the supply of the supplementary fluid, means for adjusting the position in the field of the delivery of the composite fluid and for proportioning the volume thereof to the dispersive strength of the convective action, meansfor conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivering device, and means for collecting the fixed or non-volatile products of the convective action upon the composite fluid, and removing them from their proximity to the path of convective action substantially as described. Y

21. In an apparatus fol-separating the volatile liquid component from the componentof fixed substances in a composite fluid composed thereof, the combination of a source of high-tension electricity, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the circuit of said source, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated condition into the path of convective action, means for supplying a supplementary fluid to the delivering device at its verge or place of transition of the composite fluid from the confined to the free state, means for regulating the supply of the supplementary fluid, means for adjusting the position in the field of the delivery of the composite fluid and for pro-.

portioning the volume thereof to the dispersive strength of the convective action, means for conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivering device, and means for collectin g the volatile products of the convective action upon the composite fluid, and removing them from their proximity to the path of convective action, substantially as described.

22. In anapparatus for separating the volatile liquid component from the component of U fixed substances in composite fluids composed thereof, the combination of a source of high tension electricity, means for regulating the tension of said source, means for producing a field of convective discharge interposed in the'circuit of said source and for adjusting the length thereof, means for delivering a composite fluid in a free and attenuated .condition into the path of convective action, means forsnpplying a supplementary fluid to the delivering device at its verge'or place of transition of the composite fluid from the confined to the free state, means for regulating the supply of supplementary fluid, means for adjusting the position in the field of the delivery of the composite fluid and for proportioning the volume thereof to the dispersive strength of the convective action, means for conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivery device, and means for collecting the fixed or non-volatile products of the convective action upon the composite fluid and removing them from their proximity to the path of convective action, substantially as described. 1

' 23. In an apparatusfor separating the vola-.

tile liquid component from the component of fixed substances, in composite fluids composed posite fluid in a free and attenuated condition into the path of convective action, means for supplying a supplementary fluid to the delivering device at its verge or place of transition of the composite fluid from the con- ,fined to the free state, means for regulating the supply of supplementary fluid, means for adjusting the position in the field of the delivery of the composite fluid and for propertioning the volume thereof to the dispersive strength of the convective action, means for conducting a supply of the composite fluid to the delivery device, and means for collecting the volatile products of the convective action upon the composite fluid and removing them from'their proximity to the path of convective action, substantially as described.

Intestimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN F. COOLEY. Witnesses: ALEXANDER S. STEWART, M. B. (JoLE. 

